Radiant Heat Panel setup

Recently, I agreed to take care of a carpet python for a friend while they're away. We'd talked about the fact that it was going to be outgrowing its enclosure soon and agreed that I would do a new enclosure and get reimbursed when they came back.

I snagged a 36"x24"16" PVC enclosure and went with a radiant heat panel instead of flexwatt. My friend's apartment can get into the high 60's temp wise when its cold and I'd read that RHP's can give a more consistent heat during winter.

Problem is, like an idiot, I didn't anticipate that the RHP I got from Pro Products would have to be directly wired instead of just plugged in. The thermostat is a hydrofarm one, has a plug on it.

So I'm wondering one of two things (though honestly it might just be the same thing posed two ways).

1. Do I need a new thermostat? And if so, any recommendations?

2. Is there a way to convert the wire to a plug to avoid another thermostat purchase? Its fine if not, figure it couldn't hurt to ask, and instead of googling for conversions I knew a reptile based community would know of any dangers inherent in doing said conversion.


I know, I stopped my research juuuust short of being fully informed, but I would really appreciate any advice on this.

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Originally Posted by HuhWhat

Recently, I agreed to take care of a carpet python for a friend while they're away. We'd talked about the fact that it was going to be outgrowing its enclosure soon and agreed that I would do a new enclosure and get reimbursed when they came back.

I snagged a 36"x24"16" PVC enclosure and went with a radiant heat panel instead of flexwatt. My friend's apartment can get into the high 60's temp wise when its cold and I'd read that RHP's can give a more consistent heat during winter.

Problem is, like an idiot, I didn't anticipate that the RHP I got from Pro Products would have to be directly wired instead of just plugged in. The thermostat is a hydrofarm one, has a plug on it.

So I'm wondering one of two things (though honestly it might just be the same thing posed two ways).

1. Do I need a new thermostat? And if so, any recommendations?

2. Is there a way to convert the wire to a plug to avoid another thermostat purchase? Its fine if not, figure it couldn't hurt to ask, and instead of googling for conversions I knew a reptile based community would know of any dangers inherent in doing said conversion.


I know, I stopped my research juuuust short of being fully informed, but I would really appreciate any advice on this.

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call an electrician they can help

you buy a crimp on style plug and put it on the wires. The reason the panels come without the plug attached to the wires is so you don't need to drill as big of a hole on the cage to run the wires out of. You panel should have actually come with one.

They are also called "easy wire plugs" http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&bi...d=0CKsBEK0DMBs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

you buy a crimp on style plug and put it on the wires. The reason the panels come without the plug attached to the wires is so you don't need to drill as big of a hole on the cage to run the wires out of. You panel should have actually come with one.

They are also called "easy wire plugs" http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&bi...d=0CKsBEK0DMBs

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Yep, I'm an idiot. Went home on my lunch break and checked through the box again, found the plug. Thank you for humoring me and I'm quite sorry for having wasted your time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HuhWhat

Yep, I'm an idiot. Went home on my lunch break and checked through the box again, found the plug. Thank you for humoring me and I'm quite sorry for having wasted your time.

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Not a problem...you didn't waste my time